Asked Tuesday about the possibility of making some kind of move to upgrade the roster, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said, “I just don't see how that's realistic.” CHRIS CARLSON, AP

EL SEGUNDO – Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak doesn't see the results, but he still sees the talent.

Kupchak said Tuesday the Lakers will not trade Dwight Howard before the Thursday NBA trade deadline -- and he does not envision any major move as the 25-29 Lakers try to push into the Western Conference playoff picture.

Asked about a talent upgrade, Kupchak said: "I just don't see how that's realistic."

The Lakers should get Pau Gasol (foot) back from injury in about a month, but Kupchak and Jim Buss are still waiting to see Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Howard and Gasol mesh their talents better on the court.

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni predicted the Lakers would need to go 20-8 the rest of the regular season to make the playoffs.

"You aren't going to make the playoffs with less than 45 wins," D'Antoni said before the team reconvened for practice late Tuesday afternoon.

D'Antoni, whom Kupchak said Jerry Buss was "very involved" in hiring in November, also said this has been "by far" his most difficult stretch as an NBA coach. D'Antoni said he will not be focusing on personality conflicts, though.

"On the court is where we're having our problems with chemistry," he said.

That means he simply wants better production from Howard and Bryant together or Howard and Nash together. For his part, Howard is at least trying to speak publicly more about team concepts and said the Lakers should try not to let those personality issues affect them: "Sometimes we've done that."

Asked about his role with the Lakers comparing with his role in past seasons in Orlando, where he was the first option on offense, Howard said: "I have to do whatever I can to help this team win." But Howard also obliquely noted how much he is giving up when the coaches or his teammates urge him to lead on defense, saying: "Certain guys have to sacrifice more than others."

Howard said Kupchak has told him "for the last month and a half, two months" that he won't be traded. The Lakers remain hopeful Howard will re-sign with them at season's end, when he can explore free agency, and regain some of the athleticism he has so far lost since April spinal surgery.

"I'm not going to let the stuff that's been happening defeat me as a person," Howard said.

- KEVIN DING

KUPCHAK ON BUSS

Few outside of the Buss family truly understand what Jerry Buss meant to the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles. One outsider, however, could appreciate the genius of the late Lakers owner who died Monday – Kupchak.

Buss signed Kuchak as a free agent in 1981 and he played a key role in the Lakers' 1985 NBA championship against Boston. Kupchak retired after the 1985-86 season and Buss moved him into the front office, where he served as an apprentice to then-GM Jerry West.

"Here it is 32 years later," Kupchak told a crowded media room Tuesday.

"Yesterday was an empty day and I couldn't seem to find a place where I was comfortable – a room, a place, a car, a house. It is a major loss for obvious reasons. Here was a man that brought me to Los Angeles as a player, who for some reason then kept me on for an additional 27 years, which is unheard of in this business."

Kupchak re-iterated that Buss' family – Jim, Jeanie, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jessie – will continue to carry on their father's legacy in running the Lakers. Kupchak, too, will continue in his role.

"I think I have a feel for what Jerry wants, too," he said.

The Lakers announced that a memorial service for Buss will be held at Nokia Theater, across from Staples Center, on Thursday. The service is not open to the public and is only for invited guests.

- JANIS CARR

BRING ON BOSTON

The Lakers' first game since Buss' death will be against the team he desperately wanted to pass in all-time NBA championships: the Boston Celtics.

The Lakers play host to the Celtics on Wednesday night at Staples Center. There will be various remembrances of Buss during the game, including a purple "JB" patch worn over Lakers players' right chest area the rest of the season.

Counting the championships won in Minneapolis, the Lakers have 16 NBA titles to Boston's 17.

As far as Buss' death serving as a motivation for the team, Bryant said he hoped that would be the case but acknowledged that few Lakers players even were aware of Buss' contribution to the league and the sport previously. Bryant said he hoped the team would put "on a good show in his honor."

The Lakers do have separate motivation for the game considering the Celtics posted a 21-point victory over the Lakers on Feb. 7 in perhaps Howard's worst game with the team.

The Lakers have won eight of their past 12 games and resume play after the All-Star break with home games against Boston and Portland before a challenging back-to-back set Sunday in Dallas and Monday in Denver. March will feature a run of 10 games out of 13 on the road before April's schedule lightens.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.